CLINTON — Democratic candidate Christine Goupil was elected first selectwoman Tuesday, with the vote tally announced to a hushed room on the bottom floor of Town Hall.

She defeated Republican Kirk Carr, in a ballot tally of 2,079 votes to 1,558 votes. Both candidates were challengers after incumbent First Selectman Bruce Farmer lost the GOP primary to Carr in September.

“We’re very pleased with the vote and voter turnout,” Goupil said. “My team and I are very eager to get started.”

Goupil, a Clinton resident of 10 years, said she became involved in local politics within months of moving to town.

Carr, reflecting on the results, said: “Clearly the voters didn’t think taxes were as important as I thought they were, I misread them.” He added that the Democrats were united and the Republicans were divided.

“That was a headwind I couldn’t overcome,” Carr said.

Total voter turnout, according to the town’s registrars, was 3,911, or nearly 40 percent of the 9,865 voters registered in Clinton.